What would be enough to save Brady Hoke as head football coach of Michigan Wolverines, writes Pat Caputo

Michigan head coach Brady Hoke walks the sideline in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. Nebraska won 23-9. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Not only in regaining the respect the Wolverines have lost since the shocking upset loss to Appalachian State to open the 2007 season, but to justify Hoke remaining as the Wolverines’ head football coach.

Hoke signed a six-year contract in 2011, replacing Rich Rodriguez.

The length of that deal, coupled with the 11-2 campaign the Wolverines unexpectedly posted in ’11, gave Hoke much early security.

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However, the ensuing two seasons were disappointing. Two years remaining on a coach’s contract is moving into lame duck territory. If there is another mediocre season posted by the Wolverines in ’14, it’s a very relevant question to ponder if Hoke will be around for ’15.

Two years left is the usually when it is determined whether to extend a coach or dismiss him. It’s obviously a pivotal season for Hoke.

The excuse Hoke has been straddled with Rodriguez’s recruits doesn’t hold water. Michigan’s done a solid job recruiting through it all. Theoretically, the Wolverines should be sitting near the top of the Big Ten, not in the middle of the pack in a decidedly mediocre conference. Also, holding on to avoid losses to college football plankton like Akron and UConn, and getting destroyed in a lower tier bowl game by Kansas State, is alarming.

Michigan simply has not been able to make the most of its recruiting classes.

It’s a direct reflection on coaching, or lack of it.

The ’14 schedule presents good and bad elements. The good part is, Michigan only has three really top teams on its slate – Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State.

The bad news is all those games are on the road. Michigan has never defeated any of those teams on the road under Hoke. In fact, his teams have not played well on the road.

The rest of the schedule is manageable.

When it was announced the Big Ten would play Pac 12 teams regularly, there was disappointment Michigan isn’t playing a marquee team like Southern California, Oregon, Stanford, Washington or UCLA.

It’s Utah which is visiting Ann Arbor, but it’s turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the Utes are decidedly beatable even with their top passer, rusher and most threatening receiver returning.

Big Ten newcomers Rutgers and Maryland are on Michigan’s schedule, a good thing for winning. Maryland might be a little underrated, but that game and Penn State are at home. The Wolverines have played well under Hoke at Michigan Stadium.

However, there is little margin for error. If the Wolverines lose at home to Maryland or Penn State, or a vastly improved program like Minnesota, it’s difficult imagining them being better than “mediocre” again.

What is the magic number to save Hoke’s job. Is it 8-4? Can he be 7-5 under any circumstances and survive? How iffy would it be, and how much would opponents use it against the Wolverines in recruiting, if Hoke has just two years left on his deal, and change seems inevitable?

Michigan is revamping its offense with Doug Nussmeier as coordinator. There is a lack toughness issue, which was disturbing in ‘13. Michigan’s defense was often porous last season, and they couldn’t run the football. It was so unlike Michigan traditionally, and not really any departure from the disastrous Rodriguez’s years.

Of course, all of this will be a moot point if Michigan is, well, Michigan again.

I can see a scenario where quarterback Devin Gardner has a big year, and the defense and running game are improved.

But it’s no given.

And therefore neither is it Brady Hoke will be back in ’15.

He is coaching for his job.

It’s the only certainty in an otherwise uncertain picture brewing in Ann Arbor.